Deeper, Darker, Longer . . . Brilliant!

Did J.K. Rowling overdo it with "The Order of the Phoenix"? You might be forgiven for thinking so. After all this longest book of the series had the shortest amount of film time dedicated to it. So who got it right? Author or Director? It does have to be said that it is a slower moving story and some will conclude that a tougher approach to the editing would have improved it.

I have to disagree though, this is a more grown-up Harry Potter! Full of teenage angst and hormones as he struggles with not just wizardry, evil and fame but also the normal challenges that all young people face. Raging against family, the agonies of a possible first love, the panic created by crucial examinations and discovering that just maybe your parents weren’t quite the perfect role models that you once thought.

Again the narrative to the story takes on an increasingly darker tone and the sense of childish wonder is replaced with a more worldly outlook as befits a growing boy. There are still, of course, lots of moments of humour and warmth as we get to spend an extended amount of time with Harry, Hermione, Ron and the others. The Weasley twins are a particular highlight of this book.

The man faced with this marathon narration is once again the hugely impressive Mr Fry who is extremely easy on the ear. Listen carefully and you can detect a couple of very slightly ragged edges in the character voicings of this one but he still brings great atmosphere and at times a real gravitas to proceedings.

If you have only ever seen the film before this book should be a massive treat! I think the author got it right and it’s the one Potter film where I genuinely feel they didn’t do the book justice at all. Even though it was a fine film in of itself it just doesn’t quite manage to capture the essence of the book as well as the others.

It’s long but don’t be put off, after all who wouldn’t want to spend a few extra hours with this set of characters?

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89 people found this helpful

Masterfully Narrated

Honestly, some of the very best narrations available. To the point where it is more so, voice acting.

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2 people found this helpful

Dolores Umbridge need I say more

I really enjoyed this book. Out of all the film's this was the one I thought I could remember the least, then I started listening to the audio book and it all came back. I think I might actually enjoy the film more now, having listened to the book, as I really understand what is going on and why, I can also picture the characters so easily. Whether you want to call the DA group the Dark Arts or Dumbledore's Army this is the first time that Harry and friends start to make a stand against Voldermort. Although this means our time at Hogwarts is coming closer to the end it is still worth a listen and an entertaining story and you just have to Love the Weasley twins in this book.
With a new Defence against the Dark arts teacher at school that won't teach, it's up to Harry to help his classmates to pass there owls. Especially as everything they learn will help them face Voldermort. The ministry is still refusing to take the threat seriously and when Harry keeps having visions in his dreams of a door and people he cares for being attacked, being cut off from the Order of the Phoenix, the group that went up against Voldermort last time, is the last thing he needs. Can he and his friends survive another year at school?
I like Stephen Fry as the narrator. He does a really good job, with so many different and varied characters he still manages to make them All sound different.

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1 person found this helpful

Astoundingly good 💕🫶🏽

After 20 years of reading this series and thus re-reading it numerous times, to now listening to the Audible versions of Jim Doyle & Stephen Fry… I must admit; this is definitely one of my favourite Of the HP series. That’s not admitting much though… as I do love them all.

Harry’s teenage “I, know-it-all” stage has fully came to bite him (consequences) And one can clearly see the progression of his stubborn personality more in The Order Of The Phoenix. His reluctance to listen to Sound advice and his attitude to do as he sees fit and completely the opposite as what’s being continually prescribed has cost him his God-Father Sirius’s life & his innocence, shattered However-many could claim the beginning of such happen in the Golblet of Fire with Cedric’s death. Neither here nor there in my humble opinion. Countless negligence & mistakes in communication cannot all be levied at Harry’s door, here though. It would seem the wise “protecting” adults trying to shelter the sensibilities of the youth and not including them might have been the biggest factor in a precious life being lost unnecessarily.

This was the first of the Order members loosing their life in the apprehension of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and his devote followers & acolytes— His Death Eaters. And as we all know won’t be the last.

However this person’s demise hurt the most for me. As with professor Dumbledore, we discover at the end that, that ending was orchestrated or rather prescribed.

Sirus’s death, however, was never supposed to happen. Folly of circumstances.

Nonetheless. It was harrowing, suspenseful & somber 5th year at Hogwards, for everyone including Harry & Dumbledores-Army. With a nail-biting, climatic face off between Dumbledore & Lord Voldemort at the end, highly anticipated and exciting. If only just to see the Ministers sputterings and stuttering at the end. After a nightmarish year he put all through, with his obtuse ignorance… to hold on the resemblance of calm & for that, I might never forgive that Cornelius Fudge 😩

Harry has become a classic for readers young and old. And never a dull moment with Stephen Fry taking us on a journey through Surrey, King’s Cross, Hogwarts to London and back again.

I swear Mrs Molly Weasley must be my favourite character- she’s a trip and a half. Best ever!!!!

Happy listening. 💕🫶🏽

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1 person found this helpful

Greatest audio book I've ever heard

I loved this audio book. I've listened to it many times. I love it so much!

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Amazing!

I have to say, as a huge fan of the Harry Potter books, this audiobook did not disappoint. Stephen Fry is a perfect match for the series and certainly brings the characters to life. However, given this is a rather long book, it does mean that the audiobook lasts for almost 30 hours!

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Harry potter

Sooo good i love j.k Rowling she's the best go Harry potter in happy yay😃😃

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❤️ LOVE THIS

I love this book 📖 Steven Fry reads it wonderfully and the story is gripping from start to end I applaud Jk Rowling for this incredible literate world 🌍

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An amazing book!!!

This book is amazing and it is even better with Stephen Fry reading it

Very highly recommended

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The words

I think the best way to tell you the story is to
describe it with proper words

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